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Lately I’ve been experiencing a “nervous stomach” every time I venture into NYC for school or events.

Even though I only live 30 minutes outside the city, the energy difference is serious and I’ve been feeling the heaviness more than usual. I mentioned in my last YouTube video that I recently brought the herb chamomile into my life for gut health, thanks to an Ayurveda teacher who told me it would be perfect for my constitution (based on the classic “stomach crack” I’ve had on my tongue since childhood). This signals some dryness/dehydration in the gut, as well as a tendency towards chronic digestive issues, so she wanted me taking a chamomile glycerite tincture daily as a soothing preventative measure. (Licorice Root is also wonderful for this tongue sign as long as you don’t have hypertension! It is contraindicated for this use as it can raise blood pressure).

It turns out that this chamomile glycerite came at the perfect moment, because it knocks out my nervous city stomach every single time!

“Use chamomile for those crying on the outside,
and catnip for those crying on the inside.”

my teacher Claudia Keel
(find her at earthFLOWER.org)

CHAMOMILE BASICS:

Chamomile, Latin name “Matricaria chamomilla” is a common ingredient today in herbal teas because of its calming, anti-spasmodic, gas-relieving properties. It’s also popular in topical beauty products as it soothes inflamed skin. Because it’s such a common tea (seen as a beverage/food product), you rarely hear of people taking it as a medicine in capsule or tincture form. This should be the opposite: some of the most benign/common herbs are actually the most healing, as they are so widely used, extremely safe, and have stood the test of time.

HERBAL ACTIONS:

  • Nervine, carminative, anti-inflammatory, anti-spasmodic, antimicrobial, diaphoretic, mild analgesic.
  • Soothes and relaxes emotional tension held in the stomach.
  • Someone who benefits from chamomile usually has consistent emotional + digestive patterns that show up together and are related to irritability, restlessness, and discomfort both mentally and physically.
  • Gently calming in cases of anxiety, insomnia, stress, teeth grinding, and mood swings.
  • Often used with children as it’s a safe, mild herb. Good as a tea for kids who worry often, can’t sleep, feel anxious. “Those who are fretting, crying out and who demand constant care” – Finley Ellingwood, 1915
  • GI irritation/inflammation: soothing to IBS, IBD, gastritis, acid reflux, heartburn indigestion.
  • Perfect for people who are especially sensitive either to energy or pain – those who can’t focus or work properly when they’re experiencing ANY sort of discomfort.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY BENEFITS

  •  Chamomile has been shown to inhibit inflammation-signaling compounds in the body such as prostaglandins and leukotrienes. (1)
  • Other anti-inflammatory effects are thought to occur thanks to its effects on the pituitary and adrenals, increasing cortisone release and reducing histamine release. (Berry, M. (1995) Herbal products: the chamomiles)
  • Next we’ll get into the energetic side, relating to the solar plexus. I find it interesting that the solar plexus chakra encompasses the adrenal glands. I believe that strong adrenals = strong sense of self. Part of this is because a strong ability to handle stress = means you won’t let others’ judgements towards you (real or imagined) hold you back.

ENERGETIC/EMOTIONAL ACTIONS:

The solar plexus chakra is located above the navel and represents your ego, personal power, self-belief & self-worth. Governs speaking up for yourself and displays of courage.

  • Chamomile brings gentle warmth to relax and release tension brought on by the ego.
  • Grounds and clears the solar plexus, specifically soothing anxiety relating to the identity i.e. self-doubt.
  • Ginger is a solar plexus herb that strengthens the stomach + sense of self, but ginger works by invigorating and stimulating the self/digestion. On the other hand, chamomile soothes and relaxes us INTO the self + digestion.

DOSAGE:

  • 1-2 tsp dried herb to 8 oz water three times per day as infusion
  • 2-6 ml three times per day as tincture
  • 400 mg three times per day as capsule

SAFETY + CONTRAINDICATIONS:

Chamomile is considered by the AHPA to be Safety Class 1 – herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately.

This means:

  1. No case reports of significant adverse events with high probability of causality.
  2. No significant adverse events in clinical trials.
  3. No identified concerns for use during pregnancy or lactation.

ALLERGY WARNING: A few reports indicate that individuals allergic to the Asteraceae/Compositae family (ragweed, chrysanthemum, marigold, daisy, etc.), can experience cross-over hypersensitivity reactions to chamomile.


Let me know if you have experience with chamomile in your life, and how you use it. I chose a glycerin-based tincture rather than alcohol-based because vegetable glycerin is sweet and soothing, which is exactly what an inflamed gut is looking for. My Ayurveda teacher recommended this form and I’ve been loving it.

xo, Olivia

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  • Joanna says:

    So great to hear our beautiful Chamomile being brought into the limelight! I’ve loved it for years for menstrual cramps. I don’t take any painkillers anymore and so when having the tea, the majority of my pain is relieved within minutes, along with that wondeful sense of calm and ease! 🙂

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